ANR: The Legend

Bhaskar Parichha

Akkineni Nageshwara Rao (1924-2014), better known as ANR, the Indian film industry – particularly the Telugu film land – was a marvel. Nageswar Rao’s contribution to films is unparalleled.

Born in a  poor farmer’s family in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh and yet striding into the field of theater and later on to cinema with great aplomb, ANR’s journey was remarkable, to say the least. He never went beyond primary schooling but he could make it up to a star of immense reputation.

Nageswar Rao was both an actor and producer and was one of the first-generation actors in Telugu.  From his debut movie ‘Dharmapatni’ which was released in 1941, to his very last association with ‘Manam’, where he shared screen space with his son Nagarjuna and grandson Naga Chaitanya, ANR was born for cinema. Nageswar Rao who began his career playing female roles was a contemporary of yet another legend of Telugu cinema Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, NTR for short.

ANR and NTR were the two pillars on which the Telugu film industry began, thrived, and went on to make a name for itself. ANR’s contribution lay in yet another accomplishment. He played a pioneering role in shifting the Telugu film industry from Chennai to Hyderabad and established Annapurna Studios, named after his wife, which helped the cause of Telugu cinema in great measure.

In his 75-year-long acting career, ANR acted in nearly 250 films. Some of his hit films were: Tenali Rama Krishna, Devadas, Maya Bazaar, Missamma, Muga Manasulu, Dr. Chakravarthi, Dasara Bullodu, Prem Nagar, Premabhishekam and  Seetaramayyagari Manavaralu. A celebrity of the black and white era, ANR’s ‘Devadas’ was a brilliant movie and is remembered for his poignant portrayal of a role that is as famous across languages as genres. It may just be a coincidence that Suchitra Sen who acted in the Hindi version of Devdas (1955) too passed away recently.

Legend has it that ANR was noticed by none other than the eminent film producer, Ghantasala who cast him in the lead role of Lord Rama in his movie Seeta Rama Jananam. And there was no looking back for this veteran artiste.ANR’s versatility could be measured by the fact that besides Telugu he acted in Tamil and Hindi films as well. ANR became was the most prominent figure in the history of Telugu cinema for seven long decades – a rare feat by any standard. The majority of his films were great hits both commercially and by critical acclaim.

ANR played an assortment of roles ranging from a charming prince to a frustrated and intoxicating lover, from a valiant soldier to a holy saint, and from a college student to a composed government official. But like others in his genre,  ANR excelled in mythological roles –whether it is  Abhimanyu in Maya Bazaar, Lord Vishnu in Chenchu Lakshmi; Narada in Bhookailash, or Arjuna in Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddham. In films like Balaraju and Rojulu Maraayi with rustic orientation, he attained the status of Telugu cinema’s first-ever superstar.

In comedy films too like Missamma, Chakrapani, and Preminchi Choodu, he made a striking mark. ANR is fondly called the “Tragedy King” of Telugu cinema, through his milestone performances in romantic dramas such as Laila Majnu, Anarkali, Batasari, Prem Nagar, Premabhishekam, and Meghasandesham are still remembered by Telugu cine-goers. Dasari Narayana Rao- directed Premabhishekam was the biggest hit in Tollywood. It had a 533-day run in Hyderabad City, the highest screening in a city for any Telugu movie. It was also the only Telugu film to have run for more than 365 days non-stop.

But ANR’s portrayal of a jilted lover in ‘Devadasu’ brought all glories for the thespian. The role played by ANR was not only brilliant; it left an indelible mark in Indian cinema. Although Sarat Chandra’s timeless  character was played  by many, ANR’s portrayal  was by far the best which  prompted the legendary  Dilip Kumar  who himself was the compulsive  lover  in the Hindi version of ‘Devdas’  to declare, “there is only one Devadas, and that is Nageswar Rao.”

A majority of ANR’s social films like Samsaram, Bratuku Teruvu, Aradhana, Donga Ramudu, Dr. Chakravarthi, Ardhaangi, Mangalya Balam, Illarikam, Shantinivasam, Velugu Needalu, Dasara Bullodu, Bharya Bhartalu, Dharmadata, Batasari, and College Bullodu were commercial hits. Sitaramayyagari Manavaralu was released in 1991, exactly 50 years after his debut, and was a huge success at the box office, despite the influx of newer and younger stars.

A feature that won ANR acclaim from critics and art lovers was that he enacted the roles of literary and cultural icons of different regions in India, thereby making them instruments of national integration – as the great Sanskrit poet, Mahakavi Kalidas of Ujjain; as the celebrated musician saint, Bhakta Jayadeva of Odisha; as the temple sculptor, Amarasilpi Jakkanna of Karnataka; as the devotee saint, Vipranarayana of Tamil Nadu; and as the singer Bhakta Tukaram.

Awards came ANR’s way in huge numbers. Padma Bibhusan, Padma Bhusan, Padma Sri, Filmfare award, Nandi, NTR National award, Kalaimamani award from Tamil Nadu, Kalidas award from Madhya Pradesh, Lifetime Achievement Award from Telugu Association of North America, and of course the  Dada Saheb Phalke Award. After he was honored with the Phalke award, he desired to institute a similar award. The ANR National Award by the Akkineni International Foundation is given annually for lifetime achievements and contributions to Indian cinema.

From being a movie star to a prolific writer, from an organizer to an institution builder, and from being a simple heart to a dedicated individual, A Nageswar Rao was a consummate personality and an accomplished man.